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Good Lord. Sorry I don't spend my Sundays waiting for you to rock up chief. So I snatched a bit of reading for you guys. Highlighted key bits for you. Enjoy.
SECTION 1.
Basic Legal Mandates
The FAA’s safety mandate under 49 U.S.C. § 40103 requires it to regulate aircraft operations conducted in the NAS,3 which include UAS operations, to protect persons and property on the ground.
A UAS is an Aircraft that Must Comply with Safety Requirements
A UAS is an “aircraft” as defined in the FAA’s authorizing statutes and is therefore subject to regulation by the FAA. 49 U.S.C. § 40102(a)(6) defines an “aircraft” as “any contrivance invented, used, or designed to navigate or fly in the air.” The FAA’s regulations (14 C.F.R. § 1.1) similarly define an “aircraft” as “a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air.” Because an unmanned aircraft is a contrivance/device that is invented, used, and designed to fly in the air, it meets the definition of “aircraft.” The FAA has promulgated regulations that apply to the operation of all aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, and irrespective of the altitude at which the aircraft is operating. For example, 14 C.F.R. § 91.13 prohibits any person from operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.
Model Aircraft Operations
An important distinction to be aware of is whether the UAS is being operated for hobby or recreational purposes or for some other purpose. This distinction is important because there are specific requirements in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95, (the Act) that pertain to “Model Aircraft” operations, which are conducted solely for hobby or recreational purposes. While flying model aircraft for hobby or recreational purposes does not require FAA approval, all model aircraft operators must operate safely and in accordance with the law. The FAA provides guidance and information to individual UAS operators about how they can operate safely under current regulations and laws. Guidance may be found at: http://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators/
Section 336(c) of the Act defines “Model Aircraft” as an unmanned aircraft that is –
(1) Capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere;
(2) Flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and (3) Flown for hobby or recreational purposes.
Each element of this definition must be met for a UAS to be considered a Model Aircraft under the Act. Under Section 336(a) of the Act the FAA is restricted from conducting further rulemaking specific to Model Aircraft as defined in section 336(c) so long as the Model Aircraft operations are conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 336(a). Section 336(a) requires that—
4 FAA action on these security concerns support and are informed by the national defense, homeland security, and law enforcement statutory responsibilities and authorities of our interagency partners.
(1) The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
(2) The aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
(3) The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization;
(4) The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and
(5) When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport)).
Model Aircraft that Operate in a Careless or Reckless Manner
Section 336(b) of the Act, however, makes clear that the FAA has the authority under its existing regulations to pursue legal enforcement action against persons operating Model Aircraft when the operations endanger the safety of the NAS, even if they are operating in accordance with section 336(a) and 336(c). So, for example, a Model Aircraft operation conducted in accordance with section 336(a) and (c) may be subject to an enforcement action for violation of 14 C.F.R. § 91.13 if the operation is conducted in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.
UAS Operations that are not Model Aircraft Operations
Operations of UAS that are not Model Aircraft operations as defined in section 336(c) of the Act and conducted in accordance with section 336(a) of the Act may only be operated with specific authorization from the FAA. The FAA currently authorizes non-hobby or recreational UAS operations through one of three avenues:
(1) The issuance of a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, generally to a governmental entity operating a public aircraft;
(2) The issuance of an airworthiness certificate in conjunction with the issuance of a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization; or
(3) The issuance of an exemption under part 11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations that relies on section 333 (Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems) of the Act for relief from the airworthiness certificate requirement, also in conjunction with the issuance of a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.
It is important to understand that all UAS operations that are not operated as Model Aircraft under section 336 of the Act are subject to current and future FAA regulation. At a minimum, any such flights are currently required under the FAA’s regulations to be operated with an
authorized aircraft (certificated or exempted), with a valid registration number (“N-number”), with a certificated pilot, and with specific FAA authorization (Certificate of Waiver or Authorization).
Regardless of the type of UAS operation, the FAA’s statutes and the Federal Aviation Regulations prohibit any conduct that endangers individuals and property on the surface, other aircraft, or otherwise endangers the safe operation of other aircraft in the NAS. In addition, States and local governments are enacting their own laws regarding the operation of UAS, which may mean that UAS operations may also violate state and local laws specific to UAS operations, as well as broadly applicable laws such as assault, criminal trespass, or injury to persons or property.
UAS Compliance with Airspace Security Requirements
As an aircraft, UAS operations (including those involving Model Aircraft) must be conducted in accordance with the airspace-centric security requirements prescribed by the FAA’s regulations and various implementation tools used by the FAA, specifically including airspace with special flight rules and Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) that define Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR). It is important that UAS operators and LEAs be familiar with the airspace restrictions respectively relevant to their operations and their enforcement area of responsibility.
The FAA promotes voluntary compliance by educating individual UAS operators about how they can operate safely under current regulations and laws. The FAA also has a number of enforcement tools available including warning notices, letters of correction, and civil penalties. The FAA may take enforcement action against anyone who conducts an unauthorized UAS operation or operates a UAS in a way that endangers the safety of the national airspace system. This authority is designed to protect users of the airspace as well as people and property on the ground.
